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Soft blue catmint flower plumes along a garden pathPerennials

Nepeta × faassenii

Catmint

catmintdrought-tolerantbee-friendlylong-bloomingborder plant

Catmint is a tough border plant with grey-green, aromatic foliage and soft blue flower plumes. It blooms from May to September, making it one of the longest-flowering perennials. Bees love the flowers and cats are drawn to the leaves.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Height
30–45 cm
Spread
30–60 cm
Hardiness zone
4–8
Family
Lamiaceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
blue, purple
Wildlife value
bees, butterflies, cats

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Water sparingly — the plant handles drought with ease. Fertilizer is hardly needed; overly rich soil makes the plant floppy. In harsh winters, cover lightly with straw.

Pruning tips

Cut back the first flower stems after blooming to halfway down the plant — a second flush will follow. In early spring, cut the entire plant back to about 10 cm above ground level.

Good companions

Pink-red Gallica Rose in full bloomShrubs

Rosa gallica

Gallica Rose

The Gallica Rose is one of the oldest cultivated rose species, grown since the Middle Ages. Its semi-double, vivid red-pink flowers appear in June and July and carry an intense fragrance. Decorative rose hips develop after flowering.

Full sunMedium90–120 cm
Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlightShrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Purple-blue flower spikes of woodland sage in a sunny borderPerennials

Salvia nemorosa

Woodland Sage

Woodland Sage is a compact perennial with striking purple-blue flower spikes blooming from June to August. It attracts plenty of bees and butterflies and works well in sunny borders. Cutting back spent flower stems often triggers a second flush of blooms.

Full sunLow30–60 cm